Will Magic Sign Raptors PG Fred VanVleet This Summer?

Toronto Raptors point guard Fred VanVleet could be a free agent this summer. Would the Orlando Magic be interested in signing him?

Jeremy Brener | Feb 16, 2023

Will Magic Sign Raptors PG Fred VanVleet This Summer? /

In this story:

Orlando Magic

ORLANDO - The NBA Trade Deadline has come and gone, and the Orlando Magic did not make a splash and trade for Toronto Raptors guard Fred VanVleet, despite rumored interest.

However, Bleacher Report suggests that the Magic and VanVleet could be moving towards a marriage in the summer should the Raptors All-Star guard opt out of the final year of his contract.

"Orlando is also, arguably, an ideal landing spot if he leaves Toronto," Bleacher Report writes. "VanVleet is best served as a lead guard dotted by safety nets. The Magic have a host of other outside-in on-ball workers with Paolo Banchero, Franz Wagner and Markelle Fultz, and his off-ball motion will come in handy on Wendell Carter Jr. elbow touches."

The Magic is building a nice young core, especially in the backcourt with Markelle Fultz, Jalen Suggs and Cole Anthony. However, the team remains outside of the playoff picture in the Eastern Conference.

The Magic can bank on the roster improving over time, but it's a risk. Adding a proven player to that core like VanVleet helps Orlando significantly. It may seem premature to jeopardize this group of young guards, but the Magic cannot move forward in its quest towards a championship unless some upgrade happens.

You can follow Jeremy Brener on Twitter @JeremyBrener.

Want the latest in breaking news and insider information on the Magic? Click Here.

Follow The Magic Insider on Facebook.

Follow The Magic Insider on Twitter.

Want even more Orlando Magic news? Check out the SI.com team page here.

Published Feb 16, 2023

JEREMY BRENER

Jeremy Brener is an editor, writer and social media manager for several Fan Nation websites. His work has also been featured in 247 Sports and SB Nation as a writer and podcaster. Brener has been with Fan Nation since 2021. Brener grew up in Houston, going to Astros, Rockets and Texans games as a kid. He moved to Orlando in 2016 to go to college and pursue a degree. He hosts "The Dream Take" podcast covering the Rockets, which has produced over 350 episodes since March 2020. Brener graduated in May 2020 from the University of Central Florida with a Bachelor's degree in Broadcast Journalism minoring in Sport Business Management. While at UCF, Brener worked for the school's newspaper NSM.today and "Hitting the Field," a student-run sports talk show and network. He was the executive producer for "Hitting the Field" from 2019-20. During his professional career, Brener has covered a number of major sporting events including the Pro Bowl, March Madness and several NBA and NFL games. As a fan, Brener has been to the 2005 World Series, 2010 FIFA World Cup and the 2016 NCAA National Championship between the Villanova Wildcats and North Carolina Tar Heels. Now, Brener still resides in the Central Florida area and enjoys writing, watching TV, hanging out with friends and going to the gym. Brener can be followed on Twitter @JeremyBrener. For more inquiries, please email jeremybrenerchs@gmail.com.